Electroplating rack unit



July 5, 1966 P. P. DEL MONICA ELECTROPLATING RACK UNIT Filed March 7,1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Peier .P. Del Monica INVENTOR.

July 5, 1966 Filed March 7, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Peter 1? Del Monica,

INVENTOR.

BY 7V1 Wdiy H ORNEy United States Patent 3,259,563 ELECTROPLATING RACKUNIT Peter P. Del Monica, Landon Drive, Bordentown, NJ. Filed Mar. 7,1962, Ser. No. 178,086 10 Claims. (Cl. 204-297) This invention relatesto racks for suspending objects to be electroplated in a tank containinga liquid plating solution and particularly to such racks provided withmeans for clamping thereon the objects to be electroplated.

One of the principal objects of the present invention it to provide arack unit for the purpose mentioned having means for attaching it,together with any desired number of similar units, to supports in aplating tank, each unit being provided with means for the quick clampingof objects to be plated firmly, but gently, on the rack unit, and alsofor the quick release of the objects at the conclusion of the platingoperation.

Although my improved plating rack unit may be advantageously employed inthe electroplating of any objects which may be marred or distorted byconventional clamping devices, an important object of this invention isto provide a plating rack unit which is especially advantageous in theprocess of electroplating aluminum parts known in the trade asanodizing, for automobile and other delicate parts.

In the anodizing process most metals from which racks are made soondeteriorate, due to the electrolytic action of the acids used in theplating bath or solution, to such an extent as to render the racks unfitfor the purpose intended, after a short period of use.

Therefore, another object of the present invention is to provide aplating rack unit of eflicient and economical design in which all itsparts subjected to electrolytic action are made of titanium, which isthe only metal, of which I am aware, that will not deteriorate in thebath employed in the anodizing process.

A further object of this invention is to provide a plating rack unit ofthe character mentioned having clamping members suitable for clampingobjects or parts of various shapes and sizes in the rack unit, and whichmembers may be quickly attached to the rack unit and detached therefromto be replaced with difierent clamping members.

Another object of this invention is to provide a plating rack unit ofthe character mentioned having means for adjustment longitudinally ofthe unit of one of each pair of clamps to accommodate objects ofdifferent lengths; and also to provide a scale on the metal plate towhich this clamp is fixedly attached to indicate the correct positiOnfor attachment of the clamp.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a plating rackof the type referred to in which the metal plate to which the movableand fixed clamping members are attached is made in two channel sectionswith the movable member attachable to one section and the fixed memberto the other section, and provided with means for detachably clampingthe two sections together at their ends. The section mounting the fixedclamping member being of simple construction, a large number of suchsections in diiferent lengths may be kept in reserve to beinterchangeably used to acommodate objects of various lengths, or widthsaccording to whether the objects are clamped transversely or lengthwise.

Another object of this invention is to provide a rack unit of the typementioned in which the movable clamping member is urged into clampingengagement by means of a metal compression spring of calculated.strength and provided with means for insulating it from the electrolyticeffects of the acids in the plating bath.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide separateforms of plating rack units having spring urged clamping members of thesame general construction and operation, but one form being designed forclamping the surfaces of solid objects or parts, and the other formbeing designed for clamping the inner surfaces of the objects to beelectroplated.

Other objects and advantages of my improved plating rack unit will beapparent or pointed out in the following specification in whichreference is had to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof,and in which FIG. 1 is a plan view of one form of plating rack u-nit inaccordance with the present invention, this form being designed forclamping or gripping solid objects to be electroplated;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the rack unit shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the plating rack unit shown in FIG. 1 as viewedfrom the opposite side;

FIG. 4 is a detail sectional view showing one form of movable clampingmember;

FIG. 5 is a detail sectional view similar to FIG. 4 but showing themanner of inserting the movable clamping member into or removing it fromthe supporting plate;

FIG. 6 is a detail section taken on the line 6-6 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a section taken on the line 77 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the movable clamping member shown in theprevious views;

FIG. 9 is a plan view of another form of plating rack unit of the samegeneral construction as that shown in the previous views but designedfor clamping or gripping hollow objects to be electroplated;

FIG. 10 is a side elevation of the rack unit shown in FIG. 9; and

FIGS. 11 and 12 are perspective views showing respectively, forms of themovable and fixed clamping members to be employed in the form of platingrack shown in FIGS. 9 and 10.

Referring to the drawings in which like reference numerals designatelike parts or elements in the several views, and referring first toFIGS. 1 to 8, my improved plating rack unit includes an elongated flatmetal plate designated generally by the numeral 10. In the constructionillustrated, this plate comprises two overlapping sections 12 and 14,although for objects or parts of a certain range in length, or width,according to whether the objects are clamped transversely or lengthwise,the plate 10 may be made in one piece. For electroplating objects orpants by the process known in the trade as anodizing, the sections 12and 14 are made of titanium, as being the only metal, of which I amaware, that will not be destroyed by the electrolytic action of theacids used in the plating bath. Therefore, for the sake of economy thesections are thin and of channel formation, as shown in FIGURE 7, toincrease their strength and stifiness, and clamped together at theiradjacent ends in overlapping relation by means of bolts 16 and nuts 18,or by other suitable device also made of titanium. It is contemplatedthat any desired number of the plating rack units may be attached tosupports (not shown) in the plating tank, and bolt holes 20 are providedin the free end of the section 14 for that purpose.

In one end of the section 12 is a longitudinal slot 22 having closedends 24 and 26, this slot having parallel edges 28 extending from end 24a substantial distance and merging into a widened opening 30. At the endof section 12 nearest the widened opening is a laterally projectingtitanium handle 32 rigidly secured to section 12 by means of titaniumbolts 34 and nuts 36, also made of titanium, or other suitable means.

A titanium clamping member 38 of rectangular formation and havingparallel grooves 40 in opposite edges for slidable engagement with theedges 28 of the slot 22 Patented July 5, 1966 is insertable intoengagement with section 12, as shown in FIG. 4, through the widenedopening 30, and also removable through said opening, upon rotation ofthe member 38 within the opening 38 to disengage the grooves 40 from theedges 28 of the slot 22 as shown in FIG. 5. The grooves 40 continuealong one side of the clamping member 38, as indicated at 42, foroverlapping engagement with section 12 at the end 24 of the slot 22, asmore clearly shown in FIG. 4.

The end 26 of the slot 22 is provided with a small projection 44 and thefacing surface of the clamping member 38 is provided with a similarprojection 46 for insertion in central sockets 48 in the ends ofinsulating disks 50 abutting the end 26 of the slot 22 and the facingsurface of the clamping member 38. The opposite sides of the disks 50have central projections 52 for insertion in the ends of a helicalcompression spring 54 inserted between the disks for normally urging theclamping member toward and against the end 24 of the slot 22, whichlimits the movement of the clamping member in that direction. Since thespring 54 is insulated from electrolytic action of the plating solutionit may be made of brass or any other suitable metal.

A titanium cam member 56 is pivotally mounted at 58 on the section 12and has an eccentric curved edge in Contact with the clamping member 38on the surface opposite the end of the spring 54. This cam member has ahandle 60 by means of which it can be operated to retract the clampingmember 38 against the spring 54 along the slot 22, and when the handleis released the clamping member will be returned by the resiliency ofthe spring toward the end 24 of the slot. The handle 60 projectslater-ally from the same edge of section 12 as the handle 32 and iswithin finger reach thereof for operating the cam member. A stop 62 maybe provided on the section 12 to limit pivotal movement of the cammember away from the clamping member 38.

Longitudinally spaced from the movable clamping member 38 is a centrallongitudinally extending slot 64 in section 14. Over this slot is acomplementary clamping member 66 designed to be rigidly but removablyand adjustably clamped at any desired location along the slot by meansof a bolt 68 and nut 70, all being made of titanium. A scale 72 may beprovided on the section 14 cooperative with the edge of the base portionof the member 66 for correctly locating the clamping member toaccommodate various objects to be plated.

As shown in FIG. 2 an aluminum plate 74 to be anodized is shown inclamped relation with the clamping members 38 and 66. However, theclamps may be designed for objects of various shapes.

In clamping an object between the two clamps it is necessary for theoperator only to retract the spring 54 by means of the cam member 56,place the object between the clamps and release the cam handle. Thestrength of the spring 54 is so calculated as to provide only thenecessary gripping action without crushing, marring or otherwisedamaging the object to be plated.

The form of plating rack unit illustrated in FIGS. 9 to 12 differs fromthat shown in FIGS. 1 to 8 primarily in a reverse arrangement of theclamping elements to adapt them for clamping or gripping hollow objectssuch as the casing 74 The sections 12 and 14 and also the operatingfeatures of the clamping members may be substantially the same ashereinbefore described, and the same reference numerals are appliedthereto. However, the clamping members 38 and 66 as illustrated in FIGS.11 and 12 are provided with vertical pins 76 for engagement with theinner wall of a hollow object, such, for example, as the casing 74 Themovable member 38 the slot 28 and the cam member 56 are all so arrangedas to retract the movable member toward, instead of from, the fixedmember 66 The casing 74 is engaged with the pins 76 by placing thecasing as shown in full lines in FIG. 10, retracting the movableclamping member 33 to a plane inside that of the adjacent wall, thenlowering the end of the casing and releasing the handle 60 of the cammember 56. In this modification the bolts 34 and nuts 36 serve thedouble purpose of clamping the sections 12 and 14 together and alsosecuring the handle 32 thereto. For use in the process of anodizing, allthe parts of the plating rack unit illustrated in FIGS. 9 to 12, exceptthe spring 54 and the insulating disks 50, are preferably made oftitanium, for reason already mentioned.

In the anodizing process the slightest relaxation of the clampingmembers against an object being anodyzed will permit the anodyzing ofthe contact surfaces of the clamping members, thereby not only reducingor stopping the flow of electric current and leaving the objectincompletely plated, but also rendering the clamping members unfit forfurther use. In my improved plating rack unit, anodizing of the contactsurfaces is precluded by the constant firm clamping action under springpressure.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that I have provided asimple and efiicient plating rack unit construction. especiallyadvantageous in suspending objects or parts to be anodized in theanodizing solution, but which may also be advantageously used for partsor objects in any electroplating solution, irrespective of whether theobjects are solid or hollow.

Obviously, various changes or modifications may be made in theconstruction and arrangement of parts in my improved plating rack.within the spirit and scope of my invention. Therefore, it should beunderstood that the embodiments of my invention shown and described areintended to be illustrative, only, and restricted only by the appendedclaims.

I claim:

1. A plating rack unit for suspending objects in an electroplating bath,said unit comprising, in combination, an elongated metal plate havingtherein near one end a central longitudinal slot having closed ends, ametal clamping member removably mounted for longitudinal movement insaid slot, a helical compression spring interposed between one end ofsaid slot and the facing surface of said clamping member for normallyurging said member toward the other end of said slot which limits itsmovement in that direction, a complementary clamping member having meansfor rigidly attaching it to said elongated plate in longitudinallyspaced relation with said movable clamping member; and an eccentric cammember pivotally mounted on said plate for engagement with the surfaceof said movable clamping member adjacent to said movement limiting endof said slot for retracting said member against said spring to permitthe clamping engagement of an object to be electroplated with saidclamping members, said cam having an operating arm projecting laterallybeyond the edge of said elongated. plate, and said plate having meansfor attaching it to a support.

2. A plating rack unit as in claim 1 and including insulating disksinterposed between the ends of said compression spring and the metalsurfaces opposed thereto, said clamping member and the spring opposedend of said slot having projections inserted in central sockets in theends of said disks, and said disks having projections inserted in theends of said compression spring for holding said spring in parallelrelation with said elongated plate.

3. A plating rack unit for suspending objects in an electroplating bath,said unit comprising, in combination, an elongated metal plate havingtherein near one end a central longitudinal slot having closed ends andhaving opposed parallel edges extending a substantial distance from oneend and merging into a widened opening, a rectangular metal clampingmember having guide grooves in its opposite edges for slidableengagement with the parallel edges of said slot, said widened openingbeing of SllfilClCIlt width to permit rotation therein of said 5,clamping member to bring said grooves into engagement with said paralleledges, -a helical compression spring projecting into said slot inabutting relation at its ends with the end of said slot nearest saidwidened opening and the facing surface of said clamping member forurging said member toward the adjacent end of said slot which limits itsmovement in that direction, insulating disks interposed between the endsof said spring and its opposed metal surfaces, a complementary clampingmember having means for rigidly attaching it to said elongated plate inlongitudinally spaced relation with said slidable clamping member; andan eccentric cam member pivotally mounted on said plate for engagementwith said slidable clamping member on the surface opposite the end ofsaid spring for retracting said member against said spring to permit theclamping engagement of an object to be electroplated with said clampingmembers.

4. A plating rack unit as in claim 3 in which the guide grooves in theslidable clamping member continue along the end of said member adjacentthe ends of the parallel edges of the longitudinal slot for overlappingthe edge of the elongated plate at the end of said slot.

5. A plating rack unit for suspending objects in an electroplating bath,said unit comprising, in combination, an elongated metal plate 'havingtherein near one end a central longitudinal slot having closed ends andhaving opposed parallel edges extending a substantial distance from oneend and merging into a widened opening, a rectangular metal clampingmember having guide grooves in its opposite edges for slidableengagement with the parallel edges of said slot, said widened openingbeing of sufiicient width to permit rotation therein of said clampingmember to bring said grooves into engagement with said parallel edges, ahelical compression spring projecting entirely through said slot and inabutting relation at its ends with the end of said slot nearest saidwidened opening and the facing surface of said clamping member forurging said member toward the adjacent end of said slot which limits itsmovement in that direction, insulating disks interposed between the endsof said spring and its opposed metal surfaces; a complementary clampingmember having means for rigidly attaching it to said elongated plate inlongitudinally spaced relation with said slidable clamping member; and acam member pivotally mounted on the bottom of said plate for engagementwith said slidable clamping member for retracting said member againstsaid spring to permit the clamping engagement of an object to beelectroplated with said clamping members, said cam having an operatingarm projecting beyond the edge of said elongated plate.

6. A plating rack unit as in claim 5 and including a handle memberrigidly mounted on said plate and projecting laterally beyond the edgeof said elongated plate, said handle being within finger reach of saidcam operating arm and cooperative therewith.

7. A plating rack unit as in claim 5 in which the means for rigidlyattaching the complementary clamping member to said elongated plateinclude a longitudinal slot in said plate, a bolt hole in the base ofsaid clamping member, a headed bolt projecting through said hole andslot and a nut in threaded engagement with said bolt for clamping saidbase to said plate in rigid but detachable and longitudinally adjustablerelation, and also including a linear scale on said plate cooperativewith the edge of said base for indicating the correct fixed position ofsaid clamping member on said plate.

8. A plating rack as in claim 5 and including projections on saidslidable clamping member and the end of said longitudinal slot nearestsaid widened opening projecting into central sockets in the opposed endsof said insulating disks and also including central projections on saiddisks projecting into the ends of said compression spring for holdingsaid spring in parallel relation with said elongated plate.

9. A plating rack unit as in claim 5 and including means at the end ofsaid elongated plate adjacent the complementary clamping member forattaching said plate to a support.

10. A plating rack unit as in claim 5 in which said,

elongated plate comprises a pair of interfitting channeled sectionshaving through registering openings therein and bolts projecting throughsaid openings and provided with nuts thereon for rigidly but detachablyclamping them together at their adjacent ends.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,191,010 2/ 1940Dahlquist 269254 2,316,609 4/ 1943 Miner 204-297 2,831,808 4/ 1958Esseff et a1 204-297 2,949,947 8/ 1960 Story 269-254 FOREIGN PATENTS623,718 1/1936 Germany.

JOHN H. MACK, Primary Examiner.

D. R. JORDAN, Assistant Examiner.

1. A PLATING RACK UNIT FOR SUSPENDING OBJECTS IN AN ELECTROPLATING BATH,SAID UNIT COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION, AN ELONGATED METAL PLATE HAVINGTHEREIN NEAR ONE END A CENTRAL LONGITUDINAL SLOT HAVING CLOSED ENDS, AMETAL CLAMPING MEMBER REMOVABLY MOUNTED FOR LONGITUDINAL MOVEMENT INSAID SLT, A HELICAL COMPRESSION SPRING INTERPOSED BETWEEN ONE END OFSAID SLOT AND THE FACING SURFACE OF SAID CLAMPING MEMBER FOR NORMALLYURGING SAID MEMBER TOWARD THE OTHER END OF SAID SLOT WHICH LIMITS ITSMOVEMENT IN THAT DIRECTION, A COMPLEMENTARY CLAMPING MEMBER HAVING MEANSFOR RIGIDLY ATTACHING IT TO SAID ELONGATED PLATE IN LONGITUDINALLYSPACED RELATION WITH SAID MOVABLE CLAMPING MEMBER; AND AN ECCENTIRC CAMMEMBER PIVOTALLY MOUNTED ON SAID PLATE FOR ENGAGEMENT WITH THE SURFACEOF THE SAID MOVABLE CLAMPING MEMBER ADJACENT TO SAID MOVEMENT LIMITINGEND OF SAID SLOT FOR RETRACTING SAID MEMBER AGAINST SAID SPRING TOPERMIT THE CLAMPING ENGAGEMENT OF AN OBJECT TO BE ELECTROPLATED WITHSAID CLAMPING MEMBERS, SAID CAM HAVING AN OPERATING ARM PRJECTINGLATRALLY BEYOND THE EDGE OF SAID ELONGATED PLATE, AND SAID PLATE HAVINGMEANS FOR ATTACHING IT TO A SUPPORT.